Mitt Romney’s campaign has begun vetting running mates, a process that will narrow his list of possible veep picks.

The team for Beth Myers, the Romney adviser leading the search for the GOP’s vice presidential nominee, has already contacted potential running mates, according to a source close to the Romney campaign.

So who has been contacted by the Romney campaign on this? Thune says that he has *not* been contacted by the Romney people. Portman, Rubio, and Ryan refuse to say whether they've been asked for information by the Romney campaign vetters. Pawlenty, who'd previously said he doesn't want the job, also won't say if he's been contacted:

Of course, this is just a blog, and presumably doesn't have the same kind of reporting standards as the NYT or WaPo, so it's worth being skeptical. But it is a somewhat established blog that's been reporting on the race for years.

And even if it's true, it doesn't mean that there aren't additional names to the ones listed above. In 2008, I think each campaign vetted about a dozen people or so, if not more.

I think it only seems like it was just for Republican women because whenever anyone thinks of Democrat women, they automatically think of Hillary. And there would be no question that Hillary is qualified. She is more experienced to be the president than Obama is, and Obama's already been the president for three years.

It's in Romney's political interest to be seen to be considering one or more women on his short list, so even if he really has no intention of picking either Ayotte or McMorris Rodgers, it makes sense to vet them, and leak the fact that he's vetting them.

I had heard Palin mentioned as a possible VP pick a while before McCain picked her, but then after she gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby, people assumed she wouldn't make the list.

Yeah, she was definitely on the veep radar before announcing she was pregnant. But only among political junkies who were actually following politics. The general public had no idea who she was until the day she joined the ticket.

I think it only seems like it was just for Republican women because whenever anyone thinks of Democrat women, they automatically think of Hillary. And there would be no question that Hillary is qualified. She is more experienced to be the president than Obama is, and Obama's already been the president for three years.

I make that point all the time. That needs its own thread: People more qualified than Obama to be president. The list would be huge. Maybe try to estimate the numbers in categories instead of listing to tidy it up a bit. For instance maybe only 100 mayors are actually more qualified to be president than the sitting president, instead of listing them.

I think it only seems like it was just for Republican women because whenever anyone thinks of Democrat women, they automatically think of Hillary. And there would be no question that Hillary is qualified. She is more experienced to be the president than Obama is, and Obama's already been the president for three years.

I make that point all the time. That needs its own thread: People more qualified than Obama to be president. The list would be huge. Maybe try to estimate the numbers in categories instead of listing to tidy it up a bit. For instance maybe only 100 mayors are actually more qualified to be president than the sitting president, instead of listing them.

I'd say it would be more limited than that, and it also depends on how you define 'qualified'. Hillary definitely counts. Romney probably does not. Someone like Jon Cornyn, as much as I dislike him politically, probably does.

I think it only seems like it was just for Republican women because whenever anyone thinks of Democrat women, they automatically think of Hillary. And there would be no question that Hillary is qualified. She is more experienced to be the president than Obama is, and Obama's already been the president for three years.

I make that point all the time. That needs its own thread: People more qualified than Obama to be president. The list would be huge. Maybe try to estimate the numbers in categories instead of listing to tidy it up a bit. For instance maybe only 100 mayors are actually more qualified to be president than the sitting president, instead of listing them.

I'd say it would be more limited than that, and it also depends on how you define 'qualified'. Hillary definitely counts. Romney probably does not. Someone like Jon Cornyn, as much as I dislike him politically, probably does.

Yea, I know it depends on a lot. Romney obviously would be more qualified because he has been a successful executive of a state, corporation, and Olympics. Obama has been a successful executive of... nothing. I'm not being hyper partisan about it, if I was an Obama democrat I would have to honestly admit that. I would probably say experience or qualification isn't important or something.

So, it's pretty much down to the top two names. If this has any validity, than Ryan may have refused ??

Even if the source here is accurate, it's likely that those seven names don't constitute the full list. Like I said, back in 2008, both McCain and Obama reportedly vetted at least a dozen or so people each.

Romney-Portman style contest would be a giant snooze-fest. Bring on the fun choices!

I'd probably prefer a Romney-Ryan ticket, but I am beginning to see Portman as a better choice to win. The more important thing is to think how 'fun' the next presidential term will be. Think how much more fun it will be to have an IQ increase of at least 20-50 points on the winning ticket. I know that will draw some comments, but honestly Biden is a serious concern and Obama undoubtedly has 'narrow' intelligence. It will be fun to have some workhorses for a change!

Couple months ago, McMorris was trying to fan the flames of being in the veepstakes by feeding the press someone from that blog including her on a speculation list. (Kind of like citing a performance on a poll on this site.)

Anyway, wouldn't put it past her office to leak a list that includes her name to McDonnelly get buzz going. Speaking of McDonnell moves, Christie is running pro-Christie ads. He can run for re-election unlike McDonnell but it wouldn't be for a year and half so, maybe more evidence he's campaigning for VP?

It's in Romney's political interest to be seen to be considering one or more women on his short list, so even if he really has no intention of picking either Ayotte or McMorris Rodgers, it makes sense to vet them, and leak the fact that he's vetting them.

It's in Romney's political interest to be seen to be considering one or more women on his short list, so even if he really has no intention of picking either Ayotte or McMorris Rodgers, it makes sense to vet them, and leak the fact that he's vetting them.

It's in Romney's political interest to be seen to be considering one or more women on his short list, so even if he really has no intention of picking either Ayotte or McMorris Rodgers, it makes sense to vet them, and leak the fact that he's vetting them.

"War on women"

What do you mean to suggest?

That Republicans somehow hate women and want them all to be chained to their ovens and sinks, when in fact the GOP has many prominent women, and has nominated as many female VPs as the Democrats have. It's my belief that the first female Vice President will be a Republican.